‘SGR Third Phase preps at advanced stage’

By NASONGELYA KILYINGA in Dodoma 

PLANS to implement the Third Phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line that stretches from Makutupora to Tabora are at an advanced stage, as the feasibility study is now complete, paving the way for construction to start soon - the National Assembly was told yesterday.

Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Mr Atashasta Nditiye revealed this when responding to a supplementary question by Geita Urban legislator, Constantine Kanyasu (CCM), who demanded to know when the government will sign the contract for the third phase of the SGR projects, linking Dodoma with Mwanza region.
The MP also wanted to know when the government will connect Kagera and Geita regions with SGR. Mr Nditiye said the process was underway for the SGR project that links Makutupora in Dodoma Region and Tabora Region to start.
He said the feasibility study for the project has already been completed and the project will be launched soon. He further said that, plans are also afoot for the project to extend to Geita- Msanga to Uganda and this will connect Geita and Kagera regions to SGR services.
In his basic question, Mr Kanyasu said some of the reasons that were delaying the implementation of the Kabanga Nickel project include lack of electricity and reliable railway transport.
He demanded to know when the railway line project connecting Isaka—Keza to Burundi and Rwanda will be constructed. Responding, Mr Nditiye said the government was in its final stages in planning the construction of the SGR project from Isaka—Kabanga to Rusumo boarder up to Kigali.
He said contract for the detail design and tendering bids have been signed this month.
The second phase of the SGR project that links Morogoro with the capital city of Dodoma (336 kilometres) was launched in March, this year, by President John Magufuli.
When SGR project is complete, Tanzania will introduce fast and modern trains, with a passenger train cruising as the speed of 160kph, while the freight train will have a top speed of 120kph.
The first phase of the country’s standard-gauge railway project, which links Dar es Salaam and Morogoro region, was launched in April last year.
The SGR project is being undertaken by Yapi Merkez Insaat Ve Sanayi of Turkey and Mota-Engil, Engenharie and Construcao Africa, SA of Portugal.
Stretching 1,219km from Dar es Salaam to the shores of Lake Victoria, the SGR will be constructed on the same line with the Central Railway Line built by Germans in 1905 from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, then by the British colonial government from Tabora to Mwanza